Benitez Craves Chelsea Fans' Support

Rafael Benitez has issued a rallying call to Chelsea's fans to support him through the remainder of the season.

After the fourth defeat of the Spaniard's reign in the League Cup semi-final first leg to Swansea City, Chelsea supporters club chairman Trizia Fiorellino said she believed fans would boycott future Benitez matches.

Benitez has been fighting against a torrent of abuse from supporters throughout his 14 games in charge, with the reception at Stamford Bridge seemingly impacting on the club's form, with two wins coming from six home games.

But the temporary Chelsea boss is convinced Blues fans will support him, the team and under fire striker Fernando Torres, a specific target for abuse by fans during Wednesday's loss to Swansea, for the rest of the campaign.

Benitez has fought against uncertainty over his future, of his players and constant abuse from supporters.

"We are professionals," Benitez said. "We were talking about Nordsjaelland in the Champions League and it was a fantastic game, 6-1 and everyone was happy.

"Aston Villa was exactly the same so if you analyse the games we were doing well at home, the fans they were enjoying it. The players they will enjoy playing in the same way that we play these games.

"Against Swansea we could score three goals in the first half and everything would be different. If we start the games playing well and score an early goal I think it will be easy for us.

"Every top side you are expected to win every game, especially at home. Normally at the end, the fans are pushing and the players they want to win.

"The fans, they loved Fernando because he was scoring goals and giving everything and they will again. He's working very hard for the team and when he starts scoring goals I'm sure they'll decide.

"The players they know and I'm sure they try and concentrate. I prefer the fans support the manager, supporting the players; that is the way. If we continue winning games it will be easier and there will be less pressure.

"The majority of the fans they were supporting the team and they were enjoying the team when we were doing well, and some fans maybe they're expecting a little bit more. We are going to try and carry on and do our job."

In stark contrast to their home form, Chelsea have won five out of six on the road, the most recent away win coming in the FA Cup third round win at Southampton.

Chelsea this weekend travel to a Stoke City side possessing the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season and a reputation for exerting their physical dominance on their opponents.

Benitez takes an unbeaten record in four games against Stoke from his days at Liverpool to the Britannia Stadium and looks forward to the unique challenge posed by The Potters.

"I have a good relationship with Tony Pulis, I've spoken with him a lot of times and he's doing a great job," Benitez said. "Each club can decide how they want to play and you cannot say anything.

"For me it is a challenge about how to prepare the game and analyse different things. In Spain you don't have this type of game or this type of team but here is another approach and we have to adapt.

"Obviously each game is different so we have to prepare the team a different way. It's something you know already and you have to adapt. You don't challenge in the air you have to play on the floor."